Air-cooling device

ABSTRACT

An air cooler incorporating a hollow body through which warm air is caused to flow from an air inlet means over elements impregnated with liquid to an air outlet means. The warm air as it passes over the liquid impregnated elements causes the evaporation of liquid therefrom. The heat that is required to effect the evaporation of the liquid is absorbed from the air passing over such elements and the air is cooled thereby.

United States Patent Inventor Wayne H. Ripley P.O. Box 2174. San Angelo, Tex. 76901 App!v No. 755,039 Filed Aug. 26, 1968 Patented July 27, 1971 All-COOLING DEVICE 13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl... 261/28,

55/223, 55/259, 261/1 1 1,261/1 16 Int. Cl. l 801d 47/06 Field of Search 4. 55/223,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,072,096 3/1937 Collins et al. 261/111 2,775,310 12/1956 Shelton 55/223 3,012,416 12/1961 Dartet al... 26l/109X Primary Examiner-Tim R. Miles Assistant Examiner- Steven H. Markowitz Attorney-Jacobi, Davidson, Lilling & Siege] ABSTRACT: An air cooler incorporating a hollow body through which warm air is caused to flow from an air inlet means over elements impregnated with liquid to an air outlet means. The warm air as it passes over the liquid impregnated elements causes the evaporation of liquid therefrom. The heat that is required to effect the evaporation of the liquid is absorbed from the air passing over such elements and the air is cooled thereby.

PATENIEU JUL2 "(I971 SHEET 1 [IF 2 AIR-COOLING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cooling device and more particularly to a cooler for air wherein the air to be cooled IS passed over elemenLs saturated with a liquid that is to be evaporated by the passage of air over such elements. The heat required to effect the vaporization of this liquid is removed from the air in passing over the liquid saturated elements and results in a lowering of the temperature of the air.

While many systems have been devised and are commercially available for reducing air temperatures, such systems generally involve the use of a complete mechanical refrigeration system of the type wherein a medium such as Freon is compressed to the liquid state in a compressor and evaporated in cooling coils over which the air to be cooled is passed. Such systems are costly to install, require frequent servicing and often become quite noisy after long periods of operation.

Taking into consideration the foregoing deficiencies, itis a primary object of the present invention to provide an air cooler that is reliable in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an air cooler which has but few moving parts and is, therefore, inexpensive to maintain and service.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an air cooler that is quiet in operation.

Still another object of the invention is provide an air cooler in which the cooling action is brought about by the evaporation ofliquid such as water, from a liquid-impregnated material.

A further object of the invention is to make use of wood as the material which is impregnated with the liquid to be evaporated.

A still further object of the invention is to make use of redwood as the material which is impregnated with the liquid to be evaporated.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an air cooler impregnating liquid storage means, such as a removable reservoir, and removable means associated with such reservoir for spraying said impregnating liquid onto the material from which it is to be evaporated.

Another additional object of the invention is to provide an air cooler with air inlet openings, having means associated therewith, that permit air to be readily drawn into the cooler but preclude the flow of water therefrom.

A further additional object of the invention is to provide the air cooler with a baffle structure, downstream of the liquid-impregnated material, to return to the liquid supply reservoir any unevaporated liquid that passes beyond the liquid-impregnated material.

A specific object of the invention is to provide an air cooler according to the teachings of the present invention which is simple in construction, durable and made of materials of relatively low cost.

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth will become apparent after reading the following detailed description thereof. Such description refers to the annexed drawings presenting preferred and illustrative embodiments ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS sembly;

FIG. is an enlarged partial perspective view showing the relative arrangement of several of the baffle elements that make up the baffle assembly;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through a portion of the top of the air cooler showing the airflow producing means depending therefrom;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view ofthe air delivery means;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the removable liquid spray unit assembly;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view through the liquid storage reservoir with the removable liquid spray unit assembly disposed therein;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view through a liquid spray nozzle that may be employed with the air cooler of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawings, and initially considering the exemplary embodiment of the inventive air cooler, the reference numeral 10, in FIGS. 1 and 2, designates the overall air cooler. The air cooler 10 includes a housing or hollow body portion 12, which, while illustrated in the drawings as being square in cross section, may, nevertheless, have any desired polygonal cross-sectional shape to meet particular installation requirements, and it may even be circular or oval in cross section.

The housing 12 of the air cooler is hollow and formed of any suitable material. It is, preferably, formed of metal and is arranged to be removably mounted on a liquid storage reservoir 14. The upper end of the hollow body portion 12 is closed by a removable cover unit 16 of metal or similar material. Hollow body portion 12 is provided at its lower end with a plurality of laterally spaced peripheral openings 18 that provide for communication between interior 20 of the main body portion 12 and the surrounding atmosphere.

A cooled air outlet 22 is provided at the upper end of the hollow body portion 12 of the air cooler 10. The outlet 22 extends completely across the width of the hollow body portion 12 and has attached thereto an air delivery duct 24. A cooled air discharge member 26 is mounted on the end of air delivery duct 24. Discharge member 26 includes a pair of individually adjustable air-directing louver devices 28, 30 that may be adjusted to meet the requirements ofa particular installation.

In order to produce a flow of air from the atmosphere surrounding the air cooler 10, through inlet openings 18, hollow body portion 12, delivery duct 24 and adjustable air directing louvers 28 and 30, a motor operated fan or blower means 32 is provided. The fan or blower means 32 may be actuated by any conventional motor means, and in the drawings this means has been illustrated by an electric motor 34, suspended from removable cover 16 by a plurality of support straps 36, and arranged to rotate fan blades 38 projecting from a hub member 40. The electric motor 34 is included in a conventional electric circuit under the control ofmanual or thermostatic switch means, not illustrated.

The liquid storage reservoir 14 is shown in FIG. 9 removed from the hollow body portion 12 of air cooler 10. Mounted on a support base 42 that is removable from liquid storage reservoir 14 is a pump 44 that is driven by an electric motor 46. The electric motor 46, like electric motor 34, forms a part of a conventional electric circuit, not shown, including a conventional circuit opening and closing switch means. The pump 44 is supplied by liquid contained in reservoir 14 and discharges such liquid as a spray by a conventional spray nozzle 48. A well-known spray nozzle construction has been illustrated in FIG. 10 and includes a flared body portion 50 connected to the pump 44 by a pipe section 52 and a tapered deflector member 54 located within the flared body portion 50. A filtering means, such as screen member 56, is arranged around pump 44 to preclude the entrance of any foreign matter into the pump 44.

Mounted transversely of the hollow body portion 12 on, for example, angle supports 58 is a liquid impregnable assembly The liquid impregnable assembly 60 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3 and comprises a plurality of rows of spaced liquid-impregnable elements 62 supported, respectively, in

vertical spaced relationship on supporting members 64. These liquid-impregnable elements 62 are arranged so that the elements 62 of each row are positioned in staggered relationship with respect to the liquid-impregnable elements 62 of each adyacent row The liquio-impregnable elements 62 may be made of any suitable material capable of absorbing a liquid, which may be water These elements 62 are, preferably. made from any of many species of wood, but it has been found that redwood is not only more durable but functions to absorb and permit evaporation of liquids therefrom more readily than other woods.

The liquid which has been drawn from the reservoir 14 by pump 44 is discharged by the pump 44 through spray nozzle 48 in the form of a spray. illustrated in FIG I of the drawings by numeral 66, onto the liquid-impregnable elements 62 of the liquid-impregnable assembly 60. Any of such llqJld, from the spray 66, that is not absorbed by the liquid impregnating assembly 60 and passes on beyond the liquid-impregnable assembly 60. is intercepted by a liquid'returning baffle assembly 68 mounted, for example, on angle supports 70 The liquid-returning baffle assembly comprises a plurality of rows of discrete angular shaped baffle elements 72 that rest on a plurality of supporting bars 74 with the opening in the angle '76 directed toward the liquid reservoir 14 In order to prevent the leakage of any liquid being returned to the reservoir 14 by the baffle assembly 68 through air inlet opening 18, each of the inlet openings 18 is provided with a lip or deflector member 19 that is arranged to divert such returning liquid to reservoir 14.

in order to operate the air cooler and deliver cool air from the discharge member 26, the electric circuit controlling the electric motor 34 is completed by a manual or thermostatic switch (not illustrated). The blades 38 of the fan 32 are then operated in a manner to draw air into inlet openings 18 and discharge such air, after passing over the liquid impregnated baffle assembly 60, through the air delivery duct 24 and ad ustable louver devices 28 and 30. The warm air which enters the air cooler 10 through inlet openings 18 in passing over the, preferably, redwood elements 62 of the liquid-impregnable assembly 60 evaporates liquid from the elements 62 thereof The heat that is required to evaporate this liquid from the elements 62 is absorbed from the air passing over the elements 62 and as a result thereof such air is cooled Because the liquid-impregnable elements 62 are arranged in several rows that extend transversely of the body portion 12 of the air cooler 10 with the elements of each row arranged in staggered relation to the elements of each adjacent row, a thorough contact is established between the warm air passing over the liquid-impregnable elements 62 of the liquid-impregnable as sembly 60 and the liquid-impregnable elements 62 The liquid-impregnable elements 62 are maintained impregnated with liquid by the action of a liquid spray means that is supported on a base 42 that is removably mounted in a liquid reservoir 14 that also is removably attached to the lower end of the hollow body portion or housing 12 of the air cooler 10 The pump 44 of the liquid spray means draws liquid from the liquid reservoir 14, when its associated electric motor 46 is actuated, and discharges such liquid by means of the nozzle 48 onto the liquid-impregnable elements 62 Should any of the impregnating liquid discharged from the spray nozzle 48 pass beyond the liquid-impregnable elements 62, such liquid will encounter the discrete angular shaped baffle elements 72 of the baffle assembly 68 and be returned to the impregnating liquid reservoir 14 The liquid being returned to the liquid reservoir 14 by the baffle elements 72 of the baffle assembly is prevented from leaking to the exterior of the air cooler 10 through air inlet openings 18 by the lip or deflector members 19.

After reading the foregoing detailed description, it will be apparent that the objects of the invention set forth initially have been successfully achieved. Accordingly,

I claim:

1. An air cooler comprising a hollow body portion provided with fluid inlet opening means and fluid outlet opening means. liquid-impregnable means disposed in said hollow body por tion; means for effecting the entrance of air through said inlet opening means and the discharge of said air through said outlet opening mcans, said liquid-irnpregnable means being constructed of redwood. means for discharging a spray of liquid onto said liquid impregnable means, said means to discharge a spray of liquid comprising a liquid reservoir removably attached to said hollow body portion and a pump means located in said reservoir arranged to draw liquid from said reservoir and discharge said liquid upwardly through spray means. said inlet opening means comprising a plurality of inlet openings spaced laterally about the periphery of said hollow body portion below said liquid-impregnable means but above said reservoir, and baffle means disposed in said hollow body por tion, downstream of said liquid-impregnable means, to return to said reservoir any unevaporated liquid contained in the air flowing beyond said liquid-impregnable means and a lip deflector means arranged ad acent each of said inlet openings in a manner to catch and divert any liquid being returned from said baffle means to said reservoir away from said openings, whereby said air is tooled by its passage over said liquid-impregnable means where it evaporates impregnating liquid from said liquid-impregnable means and is cooled by the loss of heat required to effect such evaporation 2. An air cooler as defined in claim I wherein said spaced strips of redwood lie in the same plane.

3. An air cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein said liquid-impregnable means comprises a plurality of layers of spaced strips extending across said hollow body portion with the strips of each layer being staggered with respect to the strips in each adjacent layer.

4. An air cooler means as defined in claim 1 wherein said liquid-impregnable means comprises a plurality of layers of spaced strips of redwood that extend transversely across said hollow body portion with the strips of each row being staggered with respect to the strips in each adjacent row. spray means is provided for impregnating the redwood with liquid which includes a liquid reservoir removably attached to the lower end of the hollow body portion, a supporting base removably supported within said reservoir. a sprayer and pump means mounted on said supporting base arranged to draw liquid from said reservoir and discharge said liquid through said sprayer onto said liquid-impregnable means. and filtering means surrounding said pump means to preclude the entrance of any foreign matter into said pump means; baffle means is disposed downstream of said liquid-impregnable means to return to said reservoir any unevaporated liquid contained in the air flowing beyond said liquid-irpregnable means which includes a plurality of rows of discrete angular shaped baffle elements with the baffle elements of each row arranged in staggered relation with respect to the baffle elements of an adjacent row; said fluid inlet opening means in cludes a plurality of inlet openings formed at the lower end oi said hollow body. below said but above said reservoir, spaced laterally about the periphery of said body portion and having, respectively, lip deflector means arranged adjacent each f said air inlet openings to catch and divert any liquid being returned from said baffle means to said reservoir; said outlet means includes a plurality of individually adjustable louver means for directing cooled air from said hollow body portion. a removable closure is provided for the upper end of said hollow body portion. and an electric motor driven air tan is mounted on said removably mounted closure means for ef fecting the entrance of air through said inlet opening means and the discharge of such air through said individually ad usta' ble louver means 5. An air cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein said baffle means comprises at least one row of angular-shaped baffle elements.

6. An air cooler as defined in claim 5 wherein said baffle means comprises a plurality of rows of angular shaped baffle elements, with the baffle elements of each row arranged in staggered relation to the baffle elements in adjacent rows.

7. An air cooler as defined in claim 6 wherein said baffle elements are discrete elements.

8. An air cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein a supporting base is removably supported within said removable reservoir and said spray means are mounted on said supporting base to discharge a spray of liquid upwardly onto said liquid-impregnable means.

9. An air cooler as defined in claim 8 wherein said reservoir is provided with a filtering means surrounding said pump means to preclude the entrance of foreign matter into said pump means.

10. An air cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluid outlet means is located at the upper end of the hollow body portion and is arranged to discharge cooled air laterally from said hollow body portion.

11. An air cooler as defined in claim 10 wherein said fluid outlet means comprises a pair of individually adjustable louver means.

12. An air cooler as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for effecting the entrance of air through said inlet opening means and the discharge of air through said outlet opening means comprises a motor-driven fan means.

13. An air cooler as defined in claim 12 wherein said motordriven fan is supported from a removable closure means. 

1. An air cooler comprising a hollow body portion provided with fluid inlet opening means and fluid outlet opening means; liquidimpregnable means disposed in said hollow body portion; means for effecting the entrance of air through said inlet opening means and the discharge of said air through said outlet opening means; said liquid-impregnable means being constructed of redwood; means for discharging a spray of liquid onto said liquid impregnable means, said means to discharge a spray of liquid comprising a liquid reservoir removably attached to said hollow body portion and a pump means located in said reservoir arranged to draw liquid from said reservoir and discharge said liquid upwardly through spray means; said inlet opening means comprising a plurality of inlet openings spaced laterally about the periphery of said hollow body portion below said liquid-impregnable means but above said reservoir; and baffle means disposed in said hollow body portion, downstream of said liquid-impregnable means, to return to said reservoir any unevaporated liquid contained in the air flowing beyond said liquid-impregnable means and a lip deflector means arranged adjacent each of said inlet openings in a manner to catch and divert any liquid being returned from said baffle means to said reservoir away from said openings; whereby said air is cooled by its passage over said liquid-impregnable means where it evaporates impregnating liquid from said liquidimpregnable means and is cooled by the loss of heat required to effect such evaporation.
 2. An air cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein said spaced strips of redwood lie in the same plane.
 3. An air cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein said liquid-impregnable means comprises a plurality of layers of spaced strips extending across said hollow body portion with the strips of each layer being staggered with respect to the strips in each adjacent layer.
 4. An air cooler means as defined in claim 1 wherein said liquid-impregnable means comprises a plurality of layers of spaced strips of redwood that extend transversely across said hollow body portion with the strips of each row being staggered with respect to the strips in each adjacent row; spray means is provided for impregnating the redwood with liquid which includes a liquid reservoir removably attached to the lower end of the hollow body portion, a supporting base removably supported within said reservoir, a sprayer and pump means mounted on said supporting base arranged to draw liquid from said reservoir and discharge said liquid through said sprayer onto said liquid-impregnable means, and filtering means surrounding said pump means to preclude the entrance of any foreign matter into said pump means; baffle means is disposed downstream of said liquid-impregnable means to return to said reservoir any unevaporated liquid contained in the air flowing beyond said liquid-impregnable means which includes a plurality of rows of discrete angular shaped baffle elements with the baffle elements of each row arranged in staggered relation with respect to the baffle elements of an adjacent row; said fluid inlet opening meAns includes a plurality of inlet openings formed at the lower end of said hollow body, below said but above said reservoir, spaced laterally about the periphery of said body portion and having, respectively, lip deflector means arranged adjacent each of said air inlet openings to catch and divert any liquid being returned from said baffle means to said reservoir; said outlet means includes a plurality of individually adjustable louver means for directing cooled air from said hollow body portion; a removable closure is provided for the upper end of said hollow body portion; and an electric motor driven air fan is mounted on said removably mounted closure means for effecting the entrance of air through said inlet opening means and the discharge of such air through said individually adjustable louver means.
 5. An air cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein said baffle means comprises at least one row of angular-shaped baffle elements.
 6. An air cooler as defined in claim 5 wherein said baffle means comprises a plurality of rows of angular shaped baffle elements, with the baffle elements of each row arranged in staggered relation to the baffle elements in adjacent rows.
 7. An air cooler as defined in claim 6 wherein said baffle elements are discrete elements.
 8. An air cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein a supporting base is removably supported within said removable reservoir and said spray means are mounted on said supporting base to discharge a spray of liquid upwardly onto said liquid-impregnable means.
 9. An air cooler as defined in claim 8 wherein said reservoir is provided with a filtering means surrounding said pump means to preclude the entrance of foreign matter into said pump means.
 10. An air cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluid outlet means is located at the upper end of the hollow body portion and is arranged to discharge cooled air laterally from said hollow body portion.
 11. An air cooler as defined in claim 10 wherein said fluid outlet means comprises a pair of individually adjustable louver means.
 12. An air cooler as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for effecting the entrance of air through said inlet opening means and the discharge of air through said outlet opening means comprises a motor-driven fan means.
 13. An air cooler as defined in claim 12 wherein said motor-driven fan is supported from a removable closure means. 